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Single mum on a plane, tips please! (BA flight)

6 replies

OtherwiseKnownAsSheilaTheGreat · 06/03/2012 11:09

I'm flying from heathrow terminal 5 to Boston in April with DS's who will be 23 mns and 3 yrs, could you give me some distraction ideas? Flight takes off at 5.45pm so I'm hoping they'll sleep for some of it. I've bought the 23 mn old a seat as well. We're flying with BA, do they have tvs in the back of the seats? What do they show? So far I've collected a couple of usbourne sticker books and a small aqua draw mat. I'll be taking a picnic to keep them busy as well. Should I request bulkhead seats? Will we be able to get off the plane first on landing? Thanks for your help!

OP posts:
exexpat · 06/03/2012 11:40

Stickers, small toys, crayons and lots of snacks are good. Maybe a magazine or two each? If you can find chunky triangular pencils or crayons that won't roll of the tables they make life a lot easier. I would highly recommend bringing a small torch to help you find the bits and pieces that inevitably end up under the seats.

There should be seat-back entertainment screens since it's a long flight. I haven't flown much BA recently, but there are usually short children's TV programmes (lots of CBBC/Nickolodeon/Disney stuff) as well as longer films these days, as well as some simple games to play. But if you have an ipod touch/ipad/portable DVD player it is worth bringing that as a back-up.

When my DCs were little I found it helped get them in the mood for sleep if I changed them into PJs just before boarding or just after take-off. Also taking comfort blankets & one cuddly toy each.

Even if you don't do PJs, take a change of clothes in flight for all of you, in case of spillages, air sickness, toilet accidents or exploding nappies. It's not nice sitting in wet or sick-covered clothes for a long flight, and you are as likely to get covered as they are (toddlers can be very generous with their vomit). Also take zip-loc bags to put anything wet or smelly in, lots of wet-wipes, and more nappies than you think you will need.

You're unlikely to get bulkhead seats unless the flight is empty, as that is where the bassinets are, and yours are too old for them. Also, bulkhead ones may give more space, but the TV screens are on fold-out arms which can get in the way and the folding table/tray things are very good at trapping small fingers.

You probably won't be allowed off first - too many impatient people. When mine were little I always waited till nearly everyone had got off, which made it much easier to get bags sorted and children out of seats, do a final search for lost objects on the floor etc without lots of people huffing and puffing and trying to get past. The flight crew are also more likely to be able to help you after the plane empties out, and you can request assistance in advance if you think you're going to have trouble managing two children and the bags without a buggy.

On some flights if you have handed the buggy in last-minute, at boarding, it will be brought up to the door of the plane or be waiting on the walkway, but sometimes it automatically gets sent to baggage reclaim with everything else - ask if you're not sure.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 06/03/2012 14:17

You have already been given some good advice.

Do not rely on BA to fully provide re foodstuffs for the children; take what they like and plenty of it. Good idea of yours therefore to take a picnic and to book a seat for the eldest child. Also change of clothes for you all is a good idea.

Give yourselves enough time to get to the gate; if you;re at B or C gates for instance it can take 15 or so minutes to arrive at those gate areas. BTW Giraffe cafe at T5 is both nice and child friendly.

BA have seat back tvs in the back of their seats. BA.com's website has a list of what is actually being shown according to the route taken (look at information or manage my booking). The films shown for April may not be on their website yet though. You may not get bulkhead seats at check-in; these are usually reserved for very young infants or newborns.

First class pax are usually let off the plane first; economy pax usually deplane last.

ripsishere · 06/03/2012 17:36

Food could be poor, but do remember to order the childrens food in advance.

mummytime · 06/03/2012 17:48

For you consider ordering Vegetarian or Low fat food, the special menus are usually better. The flight is pretty short, which is good. We got head cushions the last time we flew which was helpful. Do take changes of clothes, as if they are sick its bound to be on you.
However if they don't normally have a nap between 5 and 7 pm I'd try to keep them awake as much as possible for the jet lag. There are seat back TVs, you might want to get kids/over the head headphones though.

gregssausageroll · 06/03/2012 19:06

Don't request bassinets. Get a row of 3 or if you're lucky book arrow of 4 ad you might get it all yourself. Seat arm rests don't lift on bassinet rows but do on standard ones b

gregssausageroll · 06/03/2012 19:07

You won't get off first. You will get priority boarding though.

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